Minutes of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership

Performance and Investment Committee Meeting

held on 24th January 2018 at 1.30

In attendance: Ged Barlow (Chairman), Steve Park, Jan Willis, Chris Hindley,

John Downes, Lisa Harris

Apologies: Mark Livesey

In attendance: Rachel Brosnahan, Francis Lee

Presentations on Tarvin Road improvements by: Kristy Littler (CWAC), Heather Kenyon and Paul Wilson from Mott Macdonald

Item No. / Item / To be Actioned by / By When
1. / Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
ML sent his apologies
2 / Conflicts of Interest
GB asked for any conflicts to be declared.
LH declared interest in the Tarvin Road project
4 / Minutes from the last meeting: Approved
5 / Tarvin Road Improvements
Kristy Littler (KL) from CWAC outlined the proposed scheme which is to provide junction improvements to help reduce traffic congestion. The work will include widening a bridge and does require some land acquisition, however planning permission isn’t required as it can be done under permitted development.
Consultation carried out. Some opposition to the removal of right turns at Hare Lane.
Some potential Ecology issues which need investigating further.
Surveys not yet carried out which could impact cost but CWAC will meet any overspend. Members had concerns about the programme and felt the project was more likely to start next year.
Requested clarification of economic outputs likely from scheme rather than list of delivery elements. / KL / 21st Feb
7 / Programme Manager update
RB ran through the programme manager update highlighting key issues. £725k has slipped from Sydney Road Bridge Profile in part due to Scottish Power no longer needing upfront payment for the power cable diversion works. It was suggested that CEC were asked if the £525k could still be paid upfront to Scottish Power.
RB discussed potential ways to increase spend this year and explained that given the Reaseheath projects and M62 j8 projects were near completion was it ok to pay up to 95% of the costs incurred, holding 5% back until they were complete. The committee endorsed this approach.
Discussed Ellesmere Port One Estate project and concerns about progress. Site of new building not confirmed, gap funding requirement not clear, a proper gantt chart and other associated project management tools needed to be used and implemented e.g. stakeholder mapping, options analysis etc.
The Committee asked that there was another presentation on the proposed Project at the next meeting.
Thornton update is that the University is fitting out the top floor of the demonstrator building this year as offices. Little appetite for lab space. Still no users for the demonstrator hall. John Adlen to provide an update at the next meeting.
Risks reviewed. No comments received.
Spend profile considered which showed that the end of year outturn likely to be £15m. RB waiting to see if Crewe Green Roundabout can spend any further funding – profile impacted by award of NPIF and see if spend can me maximised on any other schemes.
RB to update on likely outturn at next meeting.
RB to arrange update presentation on Ellesmere Port One Estate project which includes alternative options.
RB to ask CEC if they will pay Scottish Power upfront as originally planned / RB
RB
RB / 21st Feb
21st Feb
21st Feb
8 / ESIF update
Growth Hub funding for two years now confirmed.
Access to Finance has been awarded £1m ERDF to help get businesses investment ready and in part help them to develop business plans to bid into the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). This is already helping the pipeline of investments and should help Cheshire and Warrington gets its fair share of NPIF.
Skills agenda needs more support. Two companies now appointed to help develop a work programme.
NPIF presenting at Birchwood on the 30th January.
Risks around investing ESIF to be reviewed at next meeting. / FL / 21st Feb
9 / AOB
GB wanted to thank Howard Hopwood for all his time and input into the Performance and Investment Committee.

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